Lack of Sleep Kills Productivity - Why Good Sleep is Important And How To Get It

Don’t underestimate the value of a good night’s sleep. A lack of sleep can cost you dearly, not just personally from a productive and health point of view, but also in business and from an economic point of view.

When you find yourself being argumentative and angry over the littlest of things, whether it’s with your spouse, your kids or work colleges, then ask yourself, “how much sleep have I had?”

If the answer is less than 7 hours, and this has been consistent, then you may find that lack of sleep is where the problem is.

Personal Consequences From Lack of Sleep

Lack of sleep will affect your ability to PERFORM

  • Poor focus
  • Lack of alertness
  • Poor concentration
  • Poor decision-making ability
  • Poor reasoning
  • Difficulty problem solving 
  • Poor memory

 Lack of sleep will affect your HEALTH

  • 12 percent more likely to die prematurely (source: National Sleep Foundation)
  • Heart disease
  • High blood pressure
  • Stoke
  • Diabetes
  • Depression
  • Weight gain
  • Reduce sex drive
  • Headache
  • Stress
  • Mental health issues

Lack of sleep will affect your RELATIONSHIPS

  • Arguments with spouse
  • Irritable with the kids
  • Angry with work colleagues
  • Lack of patience and kindness
  • Lack of intimacy and sex drive

 

Business and Economic Consequences From Lack of Sleep

When your personal productivity, health and relationships are suffering due to lack of sleep, this will inevitable affect your business.

No one can perform optimally when they’re tired. Mistakes occur, things get forgotten and accidents can happen.

There is a human cost as well as a financial cost, which can be enormous.

Evidence of this can be seen from some of the biggest disasters that have occurred globally, were lack of sleep attributed to the disaster.

For example, the nuclear disaster in Chernobyl in 1996 estimate cost $235 billion, the Exxon Valdez in 1989 estimated cost over $7 billion and the 1986 explosion of the space shuttle Challenger cost $3.2 billion.

Sleep deprivation leads people to reach bad decisions and then stick with them, even when they are clearly wrong, according to a study published by Britain's top sleep researchers, Jim Horne of Loughborough University's Sleep Research Laboratory and Yvonne Harrison of Liverpool John Moores University. (1) 

The report, ‘The Impact of Sleep Deprivation on Decision Making’ claims that tired people are far less capable of handling the unexpected than was thought. It blames sleeplessness and long shifts for 'human errors' resulting in many of the disasters that we’ve seen.

The message is clear, if you’re tired then get some sleep.

But sometimes that is easier said than done. How many times have you gone to bed early, and still woken up tired?

There’s more to sleep than just closing your eyes and there are many things that can upset the quality of your sleep. And quality of sleep is vital.

 

 What factors reduce the effect of a good night’s sleep?

There are many things that can affect how well you sleep, these are what prevent you from getting into the deep sleep stage, followed by the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep that your body and brain need to heal and rejuvenate on a nightly basis.

It’s recommended that adults get 7-9 hours of good sleep each night, and yet an estimated 45% of Australians having poor sleep patterns.

Australian research released in 2018, found one-in-three people suffer, “social jet lag” as a result of poor sleep behaviours.

“That’s a large chunk of our population whose body clocks are out of alignment, a problem known to negatively impact health and wellbeing,” said Professor Robert Adams, the study’s lead researcher and sleep specialist with the University of Adelaide.

Some of the key things that affect the quality of your sleep can include:

  • Stress -acute and chronic
  • Children- waking up parents during the night
  • Medical/Physical Conditions
    • Sleep Apnoea
    • Prostate
    • Weak bladder
    • Thirst
    • Gastro reflux
    • Illness such as cold and flu
    • Hormones
  • Environment
    • Temperature
    • Lighting
    • Shift workers sleeping during daytime

 

How do you improve the quality of your sleep, so that you can be productive and successful the next day?

There are some scientifically proven ways help you improve the quality of your sleep.

How many of the list below do you currently do?

And how many more could you do?

  • Have a bed time routine
  • Avoid heavy meals before bed
  • Avoid alcohol and drinks before bed
  • Reduce caffeine during the day and especially later in the day
  • Switch off electronics, including TV (blue light) 1-2 hours before bed
  • Block out light – block out curtains, wear an eye mask, remove illuminated clocks.
  • Room temperature ideal at 18°C (65°F)
  • Get plenty of sunshine during the day
  • Exercise earlier in the day
  • Read a book or listen to music
  • Take a warm bath
  • Meditate
  • Deep breathing with progressive muscle relaxation
  • Gratitude journaling -write about the things you’re grateful for from the day.
  • Get Real Rest often
  • Get counselling help for stress
  • Get medical help for medical/physical symptoms that interrupt your sleep

Lack of sleep has proven time and time again to be detrimental to your personal productivity, your health, your relationships and for business and the economy.

Assess your own life today and decide whether you need to get more sleep or improve the quality of your sleep.

And, if you need help, there are plenty of specialist that can assist you, whether that be your local GP, Counsellor or Therapist.

Don’t sleep on this one, get help today if you need it.

 

 

Freedom choice Academy is a place of learning and growth, a place where you can learn to awaken your consciousness. When the conscious YOU acts, there is both power and intent, decisions become easier, confidence increases and your life takes on a new meaning.
We work closely with you - emotionally, mentally & spiritually - using advanced psychological systems that integrate the science of physics with inspiration from both ancient and modern philosophy.  
There is no reason to suffer when help is available. Whether that be in the form of counselling, coaching or training in new skills, Freedom Choice Academy provides the supportive, nurturing environment that you need, to turn your stress into success and get you back to the top of your game.

 

Citation (1) 

Harrison, Y., & Horne, J. A. (2000). The impact of sleep deprivation on decision making: A review. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied, 6(3), 236-249.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/1076-898X.6.3.236

Close

50% Complete

Two Step

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.